The intubation scoop (i-scoop) - a new type of laryngoscope for difficult and normal airways

Abstract

The i-scoop is an intubation device with a curved guiding bar with laterally located lenses at its tip, rather than a blade. Twenty-five anaesthesiologists intubated a manikin that simulated first a normal and then a difficult airway. All participants were able to intubate the difficult airway with a good view of the glottis using the i-scoop. None was able to intubate using seven other laryngoscopes (Macintosh laryngoscope, GlideScope(®) GVL and AVL, McGrath(®) (Series 5/MAC), C-MAC(®) , A.P. Advance(™) ). Intubation was successful only with the Airtraq(®) (n = 10), the Airway Scope (n = 5), the C-MAC D-Blade (n = 2), the A.P. Advance DAB (n = 1) and the GlideScope DL Trainer (n = 1) (p < 0.001, success rate of i-scoop vs all 12 laryngoscopes combined). In contrast to all other videolaryngoscopes, intubation of the normal airway with the i-scoop was achieved even faster than with the Macintosh laryngoscope (p < 0.02). The i-scoop outperformed all other laryngoscopes in both difficult and normal airways, and therefore has potential as an easier and safer alternative to present devices.